Borders offers preview of new concept store

The 29,000-square-foot store is not so different that you won’t know you’re in a Borders. But it’s filled with new digital features unlike anything the $4.1 billion Ann Arbor-based bookseller has offered before - like a kiosk where customers can mix and burn CDs and a video conferencing device called the LongPen that lets an author sign a book electronically.

It’s nice to see another national chain finally allowing for a custom CD creation in their stores, but Borders has major issues to address before getting the stamp of approval.

The only glitch so far: The digital services don’t work with Apple’s iPod, something Borders says it’s working on.

They don’t work with most important, most widely used portable digital music device? That is something that should’ve been worked out before you launch this service. Maybe Zune owners have better luck…?

Costs vary between different digital features, but a burned CD with seven songs and a case with cover art starts at $9.99; prints of digital photos are 29 cents each.

7 songs for $9.99? That’s pretty pricey. I can create my own cd using the iTunes Music Store for cheaper and I wouldn’t even have to leave my house! Granted I don’t get a case or cover, but I have a Sharpie that works just as well.

Throughout the rest of the year, Borders will open 13 other concept stores in cities like Las Vegas, New Orleans and Alameda, Calif. The company expects its concept stores to bring in more sales and profit than older stores.

They better solve these issues soon or I can’t imagine these things will work.